Distroscale

The motion also proposed the board publicly re-affirm its support for, and policies around GSAs, to write welcome letters to all district GSAs, and to prevent district staff from referring students to any service that aims to “change or repair” a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

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“This is our opportunity to speak to this when we’re at these consultations to say, ‘This matters to us,’ ” Stirling said in an interview Tuesday. “So, I’m worried we’re going to miss that window now.”

Tuesday’s meeting was the last regular one before the Oct. 16 civic election.

Although the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act would usually prevent school employees from divulging a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, Stirling said public debate and ambiguity should prompt Eggen to make it clear in the School Act.

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Her motion prompted a divided public reaction. Ten people, many of whom work with LGBTQ advocacy or aid organizations, spoke in favour of Stirling’s motion, saying GSAs save lives.

One woman, Mary McNeil, cautioned trustees they need plenty of evidence before talking to young students about LGBTQ issues, or they may be complicit in “child abuse.”

Lauren Alston (provincial GSA coordinator, University of Alberta) speaks to trustees at the Edmonton public school board meeting on Sept. 12, 2017.Larry Wong

Lauren Alston, provincial GSA co-ordinator at the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, said the threat of potentially “outing” students who join a GSA will push away the youth who need that support the most.

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“I would have given so much to have (a GSA), to have a place where I was free to express my emotions,” trans woman Nicole Jones told the board. But, if she thought word would reach her dad, “I would not have gone for a second.”

Trustees also received hundreds of emails. Edmonton Public Schools spokeswoman Carrie Rosa said the emails two trustees received in support of the moves were more individualized than the emails opposed, many of which appeared to be form letters.

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Chubb said after the vote he believes students deserve privacy, but the vocal opposition and suspicion around the topic means the board should follow its usual process for hearing a motion.

Just before the GSA discussion, Gibson asked the administration to report back on the legal requirements it must follow and the safeguards already included in school district policies for LGBTQ students.